It has to be said - Combe were well in charge for the first thirty-five minutes, indeed were 26 -0 up after twenty-five, but thereafter failed to score and allowed visitors Lydney back into the game to slowly but gradually eat away at the lead, and then overtake it in the dying minutes of the game. Two bonus points for the home side may be some consolation, but a five point win was there for the taking. Instead this was Lydney’s reward.
Starting conditions at Goddington Dene were overcast with a bit of a breeze blowing from the Clubhouse, and Combe playing into it. For the first fifteen minutes play was mainly confined between the two 22’s, as each side tried to establish a bit of rhythm or pattern to their game, then Kieran Leeper made a break and put in George Blomfield for the first score. Luke Giles added the extras. With a penalty to Combe from the re-start Giles found touch, and from the ensuing drive from the line-out Giles dummied and put in Leeper for the second try. Again Giles converted. 14-0 all within twenty minutes. Shortly after the Lydney hooker was yellow carded. Combe’s penalty was kicked for touch, the forwards drove for the line, exploiting their superior numbers, and Dale Bellinger was driven over for the third try. Again Giles successfully converted. 21-0. Lydney’s re-start kick went to Blomfield. He ran it straight back, found Gideon Roux on hand, he passed to Nikki Davies who was over for Combe’s fourth try, and a bonus point. No conversion, but Combe seemed to be well in control, with scrum and line-out working well, and linking and support play functioning smoothly. With five minutes to half time Lydney made a rare venture into the Combe half, and pressed the Combe line, but were kept at bay, until right on the stroke of half time Lydney were awarded a penalty which was put over by Brett Turner for 26-3 at the break.
Combe might have thought they had done enough, probably the home crowd thought so. But that is not always Combe’s way, and besides it would underestimate the visitors’ resolve. Lydney started the second half with more urgency and intent. They also bulked up. Their replacements improved their scrum both in the tight and loose. After ten minutes they had their first try by Will Jones after a drive from the line out which had started on Combe’s 22. Turner added the conversion. 26-10. Five minutes later Paul Scott was in at the right hand corner after an unimpeded run down the touchline. No conversion, but now the score was 26-15. Later Lydney laid siege to the Combe line, Charlie Edwards was yellow carded for over eager defence. With a penalty kick to the corner, Lydney won their line out and again set up a drive, this time for David Emery to score. Turner added the extras. The scoreboard now read 26-22, and just over ten minutes to go. Combe’s possession was drying up and they were also prone to mistakes under pressure. One move might have added to their score but the final pass went astray. Lydney had not given up, indeed they sniffed a win. They had the momentum. They camped on the Combe line, and were denied for several phases, until the ball was worked back for Brett Turner to squeeze in at the left hand corner. He added his own conversion, and with virtually no time left Lydney now looked up at a scoreboard that read 26-29. To cap a stunning second half performance Lydney also had a secure defence to keep out Combe’s final attacks in the game’s closing seconds.

Next week Combe are away at Hartpury College. The next home game is October 22nd, versus League leaders Richmond. The game is preceded by a Combe lunch. See the web site for details, and to book your place.

Combe XV : O’Neill; Leeper, Hough, Roux, Davies; Giles, Edwards; Bellinger, Fry, Mitchell, Wright, Clarke, Barton, Blomfield, Catlin.
Sub.s : Wallis, Foster (blood), Marshall.

Match reporter : Bruce Mackenzie.